July 20, 2017

Aries March 21 - April 19 

A nebulous link suggests that the influence of certain friends may not be as helpful as you think. While confiding can often bring many benefits, this time you might find the opposite. Their advice or words of wisdom could be misleading. It might be because they don’t really understand your situation fully. Bearing this in mind, it would be better to pay attention to your intuition. Later in the week, a more dynamic phase encourages you to forge your own path ahead. 

Taurus April 20 - May 20 

You might feel like doing something on the spur of the moment to relieve a feeling of pressure. If you feel this way at the start of the week, it might be more beneficial to stick with an idea or project and see it through to the end, as your efforts won’t then be wasted. As the focus shifts to your home zone, the cosmos encourages you to take a step back and indulge in a bit of pampering and self-care.

Gemini May 21 - June 20 

You may easily absorb other people’s energies this week, which could have an impact on certain decisions. In fact, Monday might not be the best time to commit to a path or try a new solution because your thinking may not be as clear as usual. But later your confidence will return as the celestial picture changes and your efforts to get organized and communicate produce results. You should have no difficulty in deciding what is best for you.

Cancer June 21 - July 22 

The early part of the week could coincide with mixed messages, or you might be tempted to leap into action based on false information. Unexpected pitfalls could lie ahead, which is why you shouldn’t rush into anything. Things become steadier as the week progresses, and as long as you don’t hurry you can do well. As Mars sweeps into Leo on Thursday, financial matters take the top spot in your list of priorities, and you’re encouraged to resolve any outstanding issues.

Leo July 23 - August 22 

There is a positive shift in the air this week that will enliven and invigorate you. As Mars, followed by the Sun, enters your sign, you will feel you’re in your element and ready to tackle the next big project or make some significant changes. Prior to this, it would help to be careful about what you promise, as an impulsive yes to a request could mean you aren’t able to fulfill it. It might be better to first reflect on what is involved.

 Virgo August 23 - September 22 

Your social life continues to look upbeat, with a focus on this sector coinciding with a reunion, or perhaps you will look up someone you haven’t heard from in a while. If you’re meeting with someone you’ve had a spat with, it might be possible to heal the past, but great sensitivity may be required to do it. On July 20, Mars, later followed by the Sun, enters a more secluded sector of your chart, signaling that it’s time to relax and recharge.

Libra September 23 - October 22 

You may lack energy in a situation that calls for action at the start of the week. However, there’s also a good chance that you’ve already invested time and energy into this matter and that results have not been forthcoming. Trying too hard or acting on impulse might not help, but asking friends for advice could mean that things turn out better than you’d hoped. Finally, your social life will have extra sizzle just in time for the weekend.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 

If you’ve been experimenting with various ideas and trying on new options for size, you might be tempted to take one of them further without thinking it through properly. This could lead to problems and disappointment down the line, so your best option may be slow down and do further research. Even spending another day or so gathering information can help you make wiser choices. Later in the week, a more ambitious phase begins for you.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 

Doing the best for everyone may mean that plans become watered down and no easy solution presents itself. You may find yourself in this situation over the next day or so, and it could be because you don’t want to upset anyone. You may have no option, as someone will criticize you whatever you decide. Just do what seems best to you and don’t worry what others say. You’ll be in a lighter and brighter space by the weekend anyway.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 

Mixed messages could be an issue at the week’s start, as well as the temptation to act on the spur of the moment. If you want to get the coming days off to a productive start, it might help to slow down and think things through. You’ll be glad you did, as your efforts, in tandem with others, will be far more fruitful. From Thursday, you’ll enter a more intense phase that could pave the way for deeper change from the inside out.

 Aquarius January 20 - February 18 

Go easy with your money at the week’s start, as something that seems worth purchasing could turn out to be a disappointment. Save your cash for something that’s worth your while. Tuesday could also be a day of indulgence, but your chart suggests that this could be good for you. You’ll be ready to knuckle down and get some work done on Wednesday. From here, a shift occurs and the emphasis moves to your sector of relating, encouraging a lot more interaction.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 

While opportunities for fun and delightful experiences continue to present themselves, there’s a shift in the air this week that could encourage a more dedicated outlook. This change of heart may come about as a result of mistakes made earlier in the week that may have cost you. A desire to get organized and focus on clean living and a healthier outlook may now seem the better way ahead. Sunday’s New Moon can help you to accomplish your aims.

July 20, 2017 

By TOM HAYS 

Associated Press 

Rapper DMX walked free last Friday after pleading not guilty to what the Internal Revenue Service described as a brazen effort to evade $1.7 million in taxes, saying his faith and loyal fans would keep his career on track.

“It’s allowed me to not be scared of the situation and face it head-on, you know what I’m saying?” the multi-platinum hip-hop artist, who's real name is Earl Simmons, told reporters. “My life is in God’s hands.”

Asked how his fans would react to his latest brush with the law, he responded, “It’s reinforcing the love.”

DMX, who's from Yonkers, entered the not guilty plea at a brief hearing in federal court in Manhattan. He had surrendered on Thursday and spent a night in custody before being released on $500,000 bond.

An indictment alleges he stopped paying taxes in the early 2000s at the peak of his career, when he was making millions of dollars off chart-topping songs including “X Gon’ Give it to Ya,” appearances in movies such as “Romeo Must Die” and performances at sold-out arenas.

As DMX’s tax bill skyrocketed, he funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in music royalty income into his managers’ bank accounts, prosecutors say. The managers took their fees and then gave anything left over to him in cash for his personal expenses, they say.

In another evasion tactic, DMX’s managers would take deposits for half of his fee beforehand, and he would collect the rest in cash the day of the performance without reporting the income, the indictment says.

The papers also allege that when taxes were withheld from his first payment for an appearance on the “Couples Therapy” reality show around 2011, he threatened to quit. No further deductions were made after that, they say.

In 2015, DMX, who’s 46, was sentenced to six months in jail on charges he failed to pay $400,000 to his ex-wife for support of their four children.

A magistrate judge on Friday restricted DMX’s travel to within the New York City area, except when cleared to perform elsewhere. Outside court, the rapper took the opportunity to plug a hip-hop festival he's headlining on Saturday.

“Tomorrow night. Brooklyn. See you there,” he said.

July 13, 2017 

Staff and Wire Report 

Actor Nelsan Ellis, best known for his memorable portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds on HBO’s “True Blood,” has died at the age of 39.

His family spoke to reporters this week about the circumstances surrounding his death.

“Nelsan’s father, has bravely agreed for me to share the circumstances of Nelsan’s heart failure,” a family member told The Holly­wood Reporter.

“Nelsan has suffered with drug and alcohol abuse for years. After many stints in rehab, Nelsan attempted to withdraw from alcohol on his own. According to his father, during his withdrawal from alcohol he had a blood infection, his kidneys shut down, his liver was swollen, his blood pressure plummeted, and his dear sweet heart raced out of control.”

According to news reports, Ellis’ manager, Emily GersonSaines, confirmed the actor’s death in an email Saturday July 8. The Hollywood Reporter, which was first to report Ellis’ death, quoted her as saying the actor died from complications of heart failure.

The Illinois-born actor, who studied at Juilliard, played the role of Lafayette, a gay short order cook, on the HBO drama from 2008 to 2014, and more recently appeared in the CBS detective series “Elementary.” He also was a playwright and a stage director.

Ellis appeared as Martin Luther King, Jr. in Lee Daniels’ “The Butler,” and as singer Bobby Byrd in the James Brown biopic “Get On Up.”

He also appeared in “The Help,” and his cast mate Octavia Spencer mourned his death on Instagram. “My heart breaks for his kids and family,” the actress wrote.

On Twitter, some fans posted one of his more famous scenes as Lafayette, where the character marches out of the kitchen to confront some bigoted diners.

HBO released a statement saying the network was “extremely saddened” by Ellis’ death.

“Nelsan was a long-time member of the HBO family whose groundbreaking portrayal of Lafayette will be remembered fondly within the overall legacy of ‘True Blood,’” the statement read. “Nelsan will be dearly missed by his fans and all of us at HBO.”

“True Blood” creator Alan Ball called Ellis “a singular talent whose creativity never ceased to amaze me. Working with him was a privilege.”

In a 2012 TV interview in Chicago, Ellis recalled that it took four auditions for him to nail the role of Lafayette. At first, he said, he was playing the role as a caricature, and was told to “go back to the drawing board and figure it out.”

He then began to channel his mother. “Once I started to act like my Mama, my fourth audition, I got the part,” he said.

Born in Harvey, Illinois, Ellis attended Thornridge High School, where he credited teachers with instilling the craft of theater in him. He later attended Juilliard in New York City.